52nd Street

by Billy Joel

Overview

Once The Stranger became a hit, Billy Joel quickly re-entered the studio with producer Phil Ramone to record the follow-up, 52nd Street. Instead of breaking from the sound of The Stranger, Joel chose to expand it, making it more sophisticated and somewhat jazzy. Often, his moves sounded as if they were responses to Steely Dan -- indeed, his phrasing and melody for "Zanzibar" is a direct homage to Donald Fagen circa The Royal Scam, and it also boasts a solo from jazz great Freddie Hubbard a la Steely Dan -- but since Joel is a working-class populist, not an elitist college boy, he never shies away from big gestures and melodies. Consequently, 52nd Street unintentionally embellishes the Broadway overtones of its predecessor, not only on a centerpiece like "Stiletto," but when he's rocking out on "Big Shot." That isn't necessarily bad, since Joel's strong suit turns out to be showmanship -- he dazzles with his melodic skills and his enthusiastic performances. He also knows how to make a record. Song for song, 52nd Street might not be as strong as The Stranger, but there are no weak songs -- indeed, "Honesty," "My Life," "Until the Night," and the three mentioned above are among his best -- and they all flow together smoothly, thanks to Ramone's seamless production and Joel's melodic craftsmanship. It's remarkable to think that in a matter of three records, Joel had hit upon a workable, marketable formula -- one that not only made him one of the biggest-selling artists of his era, but one of the most enjoyable mainstream hitmakers. 52nd Street is a testament to that achievement. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	04/05/2024
Label:	Sony Legacy
UPC:	0190759392119

Tracks

1. Big Shot
2. Honesty
3. My Life
4. Zanzibar
5. Stiletto
6. Rosalinda's Eyes
7. Half a Mile Away
8. Until the Night
9. 52nd Street

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Billy Joel   Primary Artist,Piano,Vocals,Harmonica,Keyboards,Lead Vocals,Piano (Electric)
Eric Gale   Vocals (Background),Guest Artist,Guitar,Guitar (Electric)
Ralph MacDonald   Guest Artist,Percussion
Steve Khan   Guest Artist,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Guitar
Peter Cetera   Guest Artist,Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Freddie Hubbard   Guest Artist,Trumpet
Babi Floyd   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
David Spinozza   Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric)
Russell Javors   Guitar
Frank Floyd   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Hugh McCracken   Guitar,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Nylon String)
Doug Stegmeyer   Bass,Guitar (Bass),Bass (Electric),Vocals (Background)
Richie Cannata   Clarinet,Keyboards,Saxophone,Wind,Organ
George Marge   Recorder,Sopranino,Recorder (Soprano),Sopranino Recorder
David Friedman   Chimes,Percussion,Orchestral Chimes
Zachary Sanders   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Donnie Dacus   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Liberty DeVitto   Drums,Percussion
Robert Freedman   Horn
Dave Brown   Guitar
Steve Kahn   Guitar (Electric)
Zack Sanders   Vocals (Background)
Ralph McDonald   Percussion
Ray Simpson   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Milt Grayson   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
Mike Mainieri   Marimba,Percussion,Vibraphone

Technical Credits

James Williams   Composer
Billy Joel   Composer,Producer
Chuck Willis   Composer
Don DeVito   Reissue Producer
Leroy "Sugarfoot" Bonner   Composer
Phil Ramone   Producer,Remixing
Jim Boyer   Engineer,Remixing
Dave Grusin   Orchestration,Horn Arrangements
Clarence "Satch" Satchell   Composer
Marvin Pierce   Composer
William Beck   Composer
Dave Martone   Assistant Engineer
Robert Freedman   Orchestration,Horn Arrangements,String Arrangements
Stephen Saper   Engineer
Carol Peters   Associate Producer
Jim Houghton   Photography
John Berg   Design,Cover Design
John Naatjes   Tape Research
Kathy Kurs   Associate Producer
Ted Jensen   Mastering,Remastering,Digital Remastering
Marshall "Rock" Jones   Composer
Ralph Middlebrooks   Composer